Ruth E. Ortwein

Ruth E. Ortwein, 84, formerly of Hellertown, and Port Charlotte, FL, died on Monday March 22, 2010 at Phoebe Richland Health Care Center in Richlandtown. Born Phillipsburg, NJ on February 10, 1926, she was the daughter of the late George and Mattie Claxton Dilts. She was the wife of the late James M. Ortwein who died in 2009; they were married for 62 years.

Ruth was a 1946 graduate of the St. Luke's School of Nursing. She was employed by the Mary Ellen Convalescent Home for 15 years, retiring in 1980. She was a member of St. Theresa of the Child of Jesus Catholic Church, the V.F.W and American Legion Auxiliary, all in Hellertown. She was also a member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Port Charlotte, FL.

Ruth will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Stephanie D. Velez and husband, Raymond of Coopersburg; a son, James J. Ortwein and wife, Erica of Allentown; three grandchildren, Jennifer Sell and husband, Jeffrey, Eric Ortwein and wife, Gina and Brendan Ortwein; three great-grandchildren, Trent Ortwein, Austin Sell, and Logan Ortwein; and brother Joseph Dilts of Wilmington, DE. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; a son David who died in 1980, and a brother George Dilts.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 212 East Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018.